Technological innovation continues to make the world more accessible to folks with cognitive disabilities as well as elders with age-related memory loss or dementia. We recently shared information about efforts by Apple to make technology easier to access and step up specialized technical support for people with cognitive impairment and the family and professionals who support them.
Now, Google is contributing to this effort, according to Disability Scoop. Those with cognitive disabilities, memory loss or dementia as well as their loved ones, guardians, conservators, teachers and other support professionals will be able to program smartphones to make it simpler to use them. Specifically, a new app “Action Blocks” allows an Android user to program a task that normally requires several steps to be performed by pressing one button.
Anything that Google Assistant can do, this app can also do, such as:
- Calling a key person
- Using a home device or appliance like turning on or off a light
- Playing music or a video
- Creating and sending a text
- And other actions
Google is also enhancing its Google Maps program with a new feature called “Accessible Places” that shows people if a building has an accessible entrance by displaying a wheelchair icon. It will also show when there is accessible parking, bathrooms and seating at a given location.
Finally, the company is improving services to those with hearing impairment by enhancing its Live Transcribe (providing conversation transcription in real time) and Sound Amplifier (clarifying surrounding sounds) programs.
Family members, friends, guardians and others supporting those with disabilities and seniors with impairments may find these technology developments helpful to make the world more accessible to their loved ones and protected persons.